ITSRR Rail Safety Officers
What is an ITSRR rail safety officer?
The Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator’s (ITSRR) rail safety officers are authorised under the Rail Safety Act 2008 (NSW) to undertake compliance inspections, investigate safety issues arising from the conduct of rail operations and exert power of entry in NSW.
Rail safety officers were previously referred to as ‘Authorised Officers’ under the Rail Safety Act 2002.
What are the investigation powers of a rail safety officer?
Rail safety officers have specific investigation powers under the Rail Safety Act 2008. These powers include:
- powers to enter places (including railway premises)
- powers to require persons at a place to answer questions or otherwise give information
- powers relating to relevant documents found at a place
- powers to search a place and to support seizures (including issuing embargo notices)
- powers to enlist assistance and give directions
- powers to require persons to provide assistance, information, produce documents or appear and give evidence.
- a photograph of the rail safety officer
- a number
- authorisation by the ITSRR Chief Executive, Len Neist.
ITSRR is limited to investigating accidents or incidents that occur in NSW or have a sufficient connection with this jurisdiction (such as those involving a rail transport operator that is accredited in NSW).
How can a rail safety officer be identified?
In order to exercise his/her powers under the Rail Safety Act 2008, a rail safety officer must produce their identification if requested to do so.
Their identification will include a badge and an identity card with:
The images below are of the identification card issued to ITSRR rail safety officers appointed under the Rail Safety Act 2008.
If you have any concerns about someone claiming to be an ITSRR rail safety officer, contact ITSRR on (02) 8263 7100.